Len spends most of her time ruminating on her writings that never made it to paper; keeps sane by reading books and listening to music. She reviews most of them out of love and the joy of it.
Check out this beautiful ballad from Sir Paul McCartney. And the video couldn't be more gorgeous with Johnny Depp and Natalie Portman in it. *swoon*
My Valentine by Paul McCartney
(featuring Johnny Depp & Natalie Portman)
April 30, 2012
Music Monday: My Valentine - Paul McCartney
Check out this beautiful ballad from Sir Paul McCartney. And the video couldn't be more gorgeous with Johnny Depp and Natalie Portman in it. *swoon*
April 26, 2012
Cover Reveal and News: The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa
I got to read the first chapter from the story and Ethan is definitely grown and have grown far from the child that he was when we last saw him. His story is something to really look forward to.
The Lost Prince
The Iron Fey: The Call of the Forgotten
October 23, 2012: Harlequin Teen
updated: posted cover for Iron Legends revealed by HarlequinTeen
The cover is just gorgeous! Finally, all three of them together! Certainly would be getting this for my bookshelf. It will be lovely!
April 25, 2012
WoW: City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare
City of Lost Souls (The Mortal Instruments #5)
by Cassandra Clare
May 8, 2012: Margaret K. McElderry
"The demon Lilith has been destroyed and Jace has been freed from her captivity. But when the Shadowhunters arrive to rescue him, they find only blood and broken glass. Not only is the boy Clary loves missing–but so is the boy she hates, Sebastian, the son of her father Valentine: a son determined to succeed where their father failed, and bring the Shadowhunters to their knees.
No magic the Clave can summon can locate either boy, but Jace cannot stay away—not from Clary. When they meet again Clary discovers the horror Lilith’s dying magic has wrought—Jace is no longer the boy she loved. He and Sebastian are now bound to each other, and Jace has become what he most feared: a true servant of Valentine’s evil. The Clave is determined to destroy Sebastian, but there is no way to harm one boy without destroying the other. Will the Shadowhunters hesitate to kill one of their own?
Only a small band of Clary and Jace’s friends and family believe that Jace can still be saved — and that the fate of the Shadowhunters’ future may hinge on that salvation. They must defy the Clave and strike out on their own. Alec, Magnus, Simon and Isabelle must work together to save Jace: bargaining with the sinister Faerie Queen, contemplating deals with demons, and turning at last to the Iron Sisters, the reclusive and merciless weapons makers for the Shadowhunters, who tell them that no weapon on this earth can sever the bond between Sebastian and Jace. Their only chance of cutting Jace free is to challenge Heaven and Hell — a risk that could claim any, or all, of their lives.
And they must do it without Clary. For Clary has gone into the heart of darkness, to play a dangerous game utterly alone. The price of losing the game is not just her own life, but Jace’s soul. She’s willing to do anything for Jace, but can she even still trust him? Or is he truly lost? What price is too high to pay, even for love?
Darkness threatens to claim the Shadowhunters in the harrowing fifth book of the Mortal Instruments series."
I had to stop reading Cassie's teasers for her books because it cause palpitations and endless nights of theorizing things. If you think all of it will prepare you for whatever heartbreaks or issues enough to drag you to a therapist, with Cassie's stories, you are wrooooong.
April 24, 2012
Tuesday Trailers: Insurgent by Veronica Roth #DivergentNation
Insurgent (Divergent #2)
by Veronica RothMay 1, 2012: Harper Teen"One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.
Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.
New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature."
Divergent was one of the best books I've read so far. I am excited and at the same time scared how the next book will fare. But I trust Veronica Roth's writing prowess and looking forward to Insurgent and the next!
April 23, 2012
Review: The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden #1) by Julie Kagawa
by Julie Kagawa
April 24, 2012: Harlequin Teen
eARC copy thru NetGalley
"In a future world, Vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity.
Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.
Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die… or become one of the monsters.
Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.
Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.
But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for."
Review
"My vampire creator told me this:
“Sometime in your life, Allison Sekemoto, you will kill a human being. The question is not if it will happen, but when. Do you understand?”
I didn’t then, not really. I do now."
In this first book in Julie Kagawa's new series, Blood of Eden, we are introduced to a futuristic world where vampires rule and humans are nothing but food to them.
The first part of the story tells us the life of Allison as human - how she and others live life in the Fringe, and she sees vampires and the world. That and until the event that led to her transformation into vampire.
The next part we learn more about the vampires as Allison herself is turned into one. At the same time the mystery of how vampires came to power unravels, and more secrets are starting to surface.
After an event that leads Allison out of the city, she meets a small group of humans who are out seeking a place where the cure for rabidism, and there are no vampires, might be possible. But being a vampire among the human group posed a challenge for Allison, but she can't seem to run away. So against all odds, she travels with the group - dealing with dangers (inside and outside the group), and struggling to stave off her hunger and the growing feeling she has for the group's second-in-command, Zeke.
Ok, Iron Fey fans, I do not need to tell you how different this is from the Iron Fey books. But even if vampires rule, Julie Kagawa still rocks in the start of her new series.
Set in a dark, gritty, and seemingly hopeless world, the character of Allison Sekemoto tries to remain human in a vampire world, where people either fear or adore them. When she herself is turned into one, she struggles to not lose that sight while coming to grips of being the monster that she truly has become.
This struggle becomes more prominent in her journey with Zeke's group. Around the group, it seems that Allison feels human though she constantly reminds herself that she is a danger to them. She is more extra careful around Zeke who seems to stir more than hunger in her. And around their leader, Jeb, who is like a disillusioned pastor that hates vampires above all else. She knows that sooner or later she has to leave the group, before they find out that she is one of the things they hate. She can only pretend for as long as she can keep herself in check. But things turn out differently when it is not only the rabids that hunts them.
What are rabids? Have you seen the movie Priest? I see the rabids as the vampires in that movie. Also reminds me of zombies. Nasty creatures. I wouldn't want to live in a world where they exist. Julie really made vampires back as creatures of darkness here. And she introduced other noteworthy characters like Kanin, who hopefully will be in the next book; then Jackal and Sarren, and of course Zeke.
Zeke appears to be irritatingly good, an angel like one of the characters once said. I'm looking forward to how his character will develop as well as whatever future he has with Allison. The romance in this story takes the backseat because it is mostly about survival. Also imbued with a few religious themes, of faith and disillusionment, and the hope that humanity will prevail against the threat of rabids and the rule of immortals.
Truly, this series has a lot of potential that will make you look forward to the next book. I'm just glad the ending is not the type that is left you hanging, but just enough to leave you haunted and hopeful for what is to come.
Music Monday: Playlist for Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
Julie's Playlist for The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden #1)
- Our Solemn Hour by Within Temptation
- Vampires will Never Hurt You by My Chemical Romance
- My Last Breath by Evanescence
- I’m Only Happy When It Rains by Garbage
- Poison by Alice Cooper
- Forsaken by Within Temptation
- Ain’t No Rest For the Wicked by Cage the Elephant
- Arms by Christina Perri
- Save Yourself, I’ll Hold Them Back by My Chemical Romance
- Love Song Requiem by Trading Yesterday (aka The of Age Information)
I'll be posting my review for the book later. I must say the music suits the dark and action-infused story that Julie wrote. Check it out! The book comes out tomorrow, it's really good! If you like your vampires the way they should be (and not all sparkly and beautiful), then this one is for you!
The playlist is originally posted at the books' Official Website: www.bloodofeden.com
April 20, 2012
Update on Finale (Hush Hush #4) Cover Reveal
Update from Fallen Archangel:
FINALE Cover News!!! The FINALE cover will be revealed on June 6th at BEA before Becca's signing! More details soon!
April 18, 2012
WoW: Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore
by Kristin Cashore
May 1, 2012: Dial / Penguin Teen
"Eight years after Graceling, Bitterblue is now queen of Monsea. But the influence of her father, a violent psychopath with mind-altering abilities, lives on. Her advisors, who have run things since Leck died, believe in a forward-thinking plan: Pardon all who committed terrible acts under Leck’s reign, and forget anything bad ever happened. But when Bitterblue begins sneaking outside the castle—disguised and alone—to walk the streets of her own city, she starts realizing that the kingdom has been under the thirty-five-year spell of a madman, and the only way to move forward is to revisit the past.
Two thieves, who only steal what has already been stolen, change her life forever. They hold a key to the truth of Leck’s reign. And one of them, with an extreme skill called a Grace that he hasn’t yet identified, holds a key to her heart."
I love high-fantasy books. I love the maps, the kingdoms, the conflicts, and everything else you can throw in. Graceling was one of the few books that I've read when I began blogging and it was amazing. Fire was a different sort of good. I don't mind waiting for something I know that will be good as Kristin's writing.
Penguin shared two maps in the book: the map for Bitterblue's city and her castle. I can't wait to read the book and use the maps. I love maps! I love reading then checking the maps. Have I mentioned I love maps? :p
Book Trailer: The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa #BloodOfEden
The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden #1)
by Julie Kagawa
April 24, 2012: Harlequin Teen
"In a future world, Vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity.
Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.
Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die… or become one of the monsters.
Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.
Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.
But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for."
I'm about to finish the book and I can't wait to share my thoughts with you, guys! But how about watching the trailer first and see what Julie in-stored for you in The Immortal Rules, the first book in the Blood of Eden series.
Here's a special treat: Pay attention and count the number of Blood of Eden symbols in the trailer. This will serve as your interactive (access code) to unlock an exclusive content in the BLOOD OF EDEN website.
If you haven't ordered a copy yet, this is a good time because it's discounted by 25% in Book Depository as pre-order. And they offer another 10% until May 14. Hurry, the book is discounted on pre-ordered basis only.
April 15, 2012
Almost there but not quite giveaway!
Soooooooooo…. I missed having a blogoversary giveaway and birthday is just around the corner. I thought maybe I could just make one shebang later. For now, I just want to thanks my followers who stuck with me thru my hiatus (almost 1k? wow, thank you!). I'm still wrestling with my TBR, which grew as big as Totoro (I wanted to use Godzilla, but the former seems more adorable.).I'm just happy I am moving with my readings even if my pace is slower than I used to read before. Hopefully my goal of 100 reads this year will be met. If not, oh well. But I will go down fighting with this challenge!
So enough blahberring and on with the giveaway!
Just enter thru rafflecopter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
If you have any questions, feel free to send a message!
I still have another giveaway happening until 4-22. Win $25 worth of products from Gone Reading. Head on to the giveaway post to know more and join!
April 13, 2012
10% extra discount from Book Depository
If you haven't tried ordering from Book Depository, then this is a good time to try. They are offering a 10% discount that would also apply to already discounted prices! They ship free worldwide (check if your country is included).
Most of the books not released yet that are available for pre-ordering in the site are marked discounted. Some of them are:
Just used the discount code at checkout and you're good to go!
I've been ordering from BD for a couple of years now, for books that not available in our local bookstore, and received books (won) via Book Depository. They are one of the best partners of readers and book lovers.
Terms and conditions
- Only one voucher may be redeemed per purchase, per person.
- Offer expires 14th May 2012 and all vouchers will expire noon BST on this day.
- Vouchers are non transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash.
- Vouchers cannot be retrospectively applied.
- The Book Depository Limited retains the right to end this promotion without notice.
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